​8 ways millennial women define success

Women ages 20 to 37 are
the most highly educated generation in history and define success
differently from previous generations.Flickr/ITU Pictures

Millennials see opportunity and build new empires.

They transform leading companies and industries from the inside.

They advance civilization.

Millennials imagine then achieve greatness.

Leading this pack of transformative innovators are women ages 20
to 37.

With over $840 billion in annual spending power and nearly as
much in student loan debt, this subset is the most highly
educated generation in history and they are handling their
business a whole lot differently than their parents' generation.

Oh, and their definitions of success vary greatly too.

CEB conducted an online survey of 2,000 male and female
Millennials then analyzed values using CEB Iconoculture's Values
and Lifestyle survey. The results were fascinating when it came
to detailing what shapes Millennial women and how they are
redefining what we think of as happiness.

Yep, that's right. Despite being dubbed "The Me Me Me
Generation," Gen Y women are actually more practical and hard
working than once thought. Here's what the study discovered:

1. "We don't want it all!"

Contrary to popular belief, Millennial women don't think that
they can have it all. In fact, they don't want it all. Women born
between 1978 and 1995 expect a "buffet," a full array of choices
that allow them to take what they want and leave what they don't.
It's about specific options and combining them to create
individualized solutions in life.

2. They don't mind being the breadwinner.

Sixty-three percent of women say that "it doesn't matter who
the primary income-earner is in a family." Bucking tradition,
Millennial women — 42% of which have upper middle to high income
— are far more comfortable bringing home the bacon as opposed to
depending on partners or spouses.

3. Equality is paramount.

While only 71% of Millennial men feel that it is equally
important for both sexes to have successful careers, the majority
of Millennial women (77%) rank this as vital. "It really doesn't
affect me what other people think of gender roles. I just do what
works for me," said one respondent in last December's CEB
Iconoculture Consumer Insights interview.

4. Child rearing — it takes two.

In addition to sharing the income responsibilities, 77% of women
think that both partners should be equally engaged in rearing
their children. Gone are the days of the woman's duties and the
man's duties, for women ages 20 to 37, 'sharing is caring.'

5. Enjoy life now and keep an eye on the future.

This generation has been through economic downturn and saw their
parents lose jobs overnight, so shopping smart ranks high on
their list of priorities. When shopping for health and beauty
products as well as clothing, Millennial women say that things
that save them money trump the quality. Yet, while they may pass
up designer duds, quality is more important that cost when it
comes to food and groceries.

6. Practicality prevails.

As is evidenced by the popularity brands like Warby Parker to
UberX, common sense purchases don't have to break the bank.
Instead, you'll find Millennials shrewdly deciding to remain
living under their parent's roof or biking to work, not to save
for the purchase of their dream home but to fund a Y.O.L.O-style
vacation.

A
great vacation is more important for some than expensive
common-sense purchases.miemo/Flickr

Eighty-three percent of Millennial women polled said
personal needs are the priority, and one participant, Krizza
added, "Happiness is being able to live your life the way you
want it."

7. Family is first.

"I'm willing to make tradeoffs in my professional life. I'm
willing to sacrifice making overtime and making more money to
spend more time with my kids," said CEB interview subject Kelley.
In fact, 81% agree that family time always comes first, even
before climbing the corporate ladder. And even though Millennial
women are having children later in life, 67% agree that having
meals together as a family is a trop priority.

8. Personal fulfillment takes precedence over status.

"I have to have time for myself. If you can't work on yourself,
you can't exactly be in a position to help others. That remains
true for me since I am a mom. If I don't have time for myself, I
can't be very functional for my family," said Tina, one of the
subjects interviewed during the CEB Iconoculture IdeaLab.
Seventy-one percent of Millennial women agree that it is
important that a job be fulfilling and enjoyable, while 64% feel
that personal hobbies and interests are essential for well-being.